If you've been reading along for the last few posts, you know a little bit about me. It's also likely that if you are reading, you came by this because of links I've shared on my Instagram or other social media. For the past two weeks, I've been stepping outside of my comfort zone where I make things quietly or participate in community events under guise of babies or cameras. I thought that sharing my experiences here could also be inspiring for anyone else ever considering a comfort zone push of their own.

I am a big fan of burlesque performance. I have been attending a show around the holidays for the past couple of years called "The Slutcracker". It is a more risqué and much more fun (in my opinion) version of the classic Nutcracker. The creator of this amazing show, Sugar Dish, has been putting on a series of "werkshops" going on from mid October until the end of November and invited any and all to join. If there was ever a chance to try my hand at burlesque performance, I felt like this was the time. I already know and accept that I am painfully shy when it comes to using my body to express things. Sometimes throughout my life, I feel like that might have held me back from doing things that I really wanted to try. I think about my sweet babies, and I hope that they won't have some of the same fears I did. With those things in mind, I packed up my heels and set off for Central Square for the first class.

The first class was a heels class. Learning to dance in them, and in my case, just walk in them. Sugar demonstrated and mentioned that she had seen girls clunking around on cobblestones downtown toe first and that it was really not the appropriate way to walk in heels. I sheepishly thought "yeah, that isn't very graceful is it?" I wish I could tell you I was able to keep my heels on for the whole hour and a half. But I didn't make it. About an hour and ten minutes into the class, the balls of my feet were hurting and I could feel my calfs practically vibrating from being worked out for such a long time. I am a sneakers and Toms type of gal and dancing, heck, even walking in heels takes a TON of work. I had been so distracted by my concentration to stay on my feet, that following the choreography Sugar was teaching was insanely difficult. I ended up taking off the heels and my understanding of left and right improved slightly, I wish I could tell you that I became a whiz at the choreography, I still found it tricky to follow along. When the class ended, I felt exactly what I was hoping to feel. Like I had gotten some good excersize, and that I'd actually done something that scared the hell out of me to try.

The second class was called Twerk and Twirl. Sadly, I missed this one due to having a cold and not feeling very well. I learned that the third class was hoop dancing with Lollihoops. I really thought "this is going to be a bigger mess than heels were". I have to tell you. I LOVED IT. In my whole life, I have never been able to work a hula hoop on my hips. I start, get half a rotation, and the hoop clatters to the floor. It's very frustrating. However, there is a secret. The bigger the hoop, the easier it is to work. Where you put your feet is also important. I grabbed the biggest hoop she had, which was pretty darn big, and gave it a shot while feeling a bit skeptical. With every rotation of the hoop on my hips, the more excited I got. When Lolli encouraged us to move around with the hoops and try working them up our arms and using our hands, I was amazed that I was able to do it. I had so much fun at hoops class that I was really sad to have the hour and a half come to an end. I may even take a class of hers in the future.

Next week is beginning ballet. When learning the past subjects of future classes, I've felt nervousness and fear. I'm trying to change that in preparation for the next class. I remember doing ballet class when I was really little. I remember that I had a growth spurt and became really gangly. I lost coordination and ended up quitting in frustration for my lack of coordination. I'm looking at this class as a make up session for saying adios to ballet 31 or so years ago.

Crimson Crane Studios

One girl who is very excited about her new #geraniumdress and one who wants nothing to do with one. Clementine loves fabulous new dresses. #ficklekids

As if the day fabric arrives isn’t wonderful enough... it’s even sweeter when it comes in a gorgeous package. Thanks @bloomeriefabrics ❤️

Found this recipe in a box while we were organizing the basement. Memories of my mom seems to be popping up a lot recently. Seeing her handwriting is always comforting. It was one of my favorite things about her. I don’t remember this recipe, but I’m definitely going to give it a shot.

They fight and bicker like crazy little jerks, but they also love bigbig.